#2 Tampa Wins Handily Against Saint Leo

SAINT LEO, Fla. – The No. 2 ranked University of Tampa Spartans men's lacrosse team took opened their season against the Saint Leo University Lions. Tampa won the contest handily, 24-8.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: No. 2 Tampa 24, Saint Leo 8

Records: Tampa (1-0), Saint Leo (0-1)

Location: University Turf Stadium | Saint Leo, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST QUARTER

Tampa was in control for the entire first quarter, scoring the games first goal off Bryan Wright's stick just 11 seconds into the match. This would be the beginning of an avalanche of scoring for the Spartans, as they added seven more goals in the quarter: Ben French (2), Jake Mosher McGraw (2), Daniel Fitzpatrick (1), Ross Dickerson (1), and Jack Wood (1). Wood also garnered two assists in the quarter. Saint Leo scored once Score: 8-1 Tampa

SECOND QUARTER

Saint Leo scored two minutes into the frame. The Spartans immediately answered with seven goals of their own. Colin White got things started with a goal off the assist by Owen Matukas with 12:14 left. White added another tally four minutes later, unassisted. Tampa then went on a four-minute scoring blast with one goal per minute to close the quarter: White off the assist by Wood with 4:09 left; Dickerson with the unassisted effort 13 seconds later; Shane Hanlon scored with 2:41 left; and another goal and assist for Mosher McGraw and Wood, respectively. Score: 14-3 Tampa

THIRD QUARTER

Matukas assisted on the first goal of the second and scored the first goal of the third with 13:38 left. The Spartans added seven more: Wood assisted by Luke McAnaney; Hanlon assisted by Richie Holle; Jack Baldwin assisted by Marley Heimert; solo effort by Dickerson; unassisted goal Harry Kilkowski; unassisted goal McAnaney; unassisted goal by Casey Platenik. Saint Leo scored once in the third. Score: 22-4 Tampa

FOURTH QUARTER

Things slowed down in the fourth, with Spartan goals by Owen Miller and Mosher McGraw. Saint Leo added four goals in the period. Score: 24-8 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• UT had six players score two or more goals: Mosher McGraw (4), Ross Dickerson (3), Ben French (2), Shane Hanlon (2), and Jack Wood (2).
• French and Wood recorded eight of UT's 13 assists with three and five, respectively.
• UT had 14 players score at least one goal.
• Dickerson logged 14 ground balls on the game.
• Blake Ulmer earned his first win of the year.

UP NEXT: The Spartans travel to Rollins College to take on the Tars Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.

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